Our 2025 First Pick (头采) Keemun Golden Needle (金针) Black Tea is now available for order! This early spring black tea comes from the mist-veiled highlands of Qimen County, crafted from the first flush of tender buds.

After careful fermentation, the leaves are expertly hand-rolled into straight, slender needle shapes — a signature of the Jin Zhen process. Each bud displays a refined appearance: neat and upright, with a golden sheen and uniform elegance.

Upon brewing, the tea reveals a vibrant red liquor with exceptional clarity. The aroma is richly layered — combining warm sweetness with soft floral undertones. On the palate, it is smooth and rounded, with a silky texture and a lingering honeyed finish.

This first pick captures the depth and refinement of traditional Keemun craftsmanship, making it a must-have for lovers of elegant, nuanced black tea.

For those who enjoy depth and maturity in flavor, our 2024 Harvest Keemun Golden Needle is also available. After a year of natural settling, it delivers a rounder body and more developed aroma while retaining the signature sweetness and elegance of this style.

Name: 头采 First Pick Keemun Golden Needle (祁红金针)

Season: April, 2026

Origin: Qimen County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province

Cultivar: Zhu Ye Zhong

Appearance: Straight and slender like needles, uniform and graceful, with prominent golden tips

Aroma & Taste: Fragrant with notes of sweetness and florals; the taste is smooth, sweet, and delicate

Liquor Color: Bright and luminous red

Water Temperature: 90°C or 194°F

Number of Infusions: 6-8 times

Tea to Water Ratio:

• 1g / 40ml (Gong Fu style)

• 1g / 80ml (Grandpa style)

Infusion Time:

• Gong Fu style: 1st brew 20s, increase by 5–10s each round

• Grandpa style: 1st brew 3 minutes, then increase by 1 minute

Recommended Brewing Vessel: Gaiwan, Glassware, Porcelain Teapot, Zhuni Yixing teapot